Humble Generosity

Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings
What We Bring to God

A Generous Gift

Matthew 6:1-6  The Message (MSG)

The World Is Not a Stage

6 “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.

^2-4 “When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

Pray with Simplicity

⁵ “And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

⁶ “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

 

For Reflection 

Merry Christmas!  Christ was born into humility.  Christ taught Humility.  Christ Prayed in humility.  Christ lived a humble life.  Wear the humble robes of the Spirit.

Pray

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  Praise God for the generous gift of God's son.  Praise God for bringing light into a dark world.  Praise God.  Sing joy to the world.